Recent changes to Australia's Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) came into effect at the beginning of November. If you’ve been using or thinking about using telehealth providers, you may be affected. Mental health treatment plans and bulk billing for remote and rural patients are some of the areas with significant changes. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do.
Telehealth and the recent Medicare Bulk Billing Changes
Telehealth and the recent Medicare Bulk Billing Changes
Understanding the Changes
Expanded bulk billing removed restrictions, potentially giving greater access and incentivising practices to provide fully bulk-billed services. But there’s a caveat for patients using telehealth: You now need an “established clinical relationship” with the telehealth providing practice. This means either having a face-to-face consultation at least every 12 months or registering with MyMedicare at the consulting practice [1].
Until now, there were exemptions to this rule for unsociable hours, mental health treatment plans, and rural and remote patients. While I haven’t been able to find out yet whether this affects the after-hours providers offering bulk billing, including the government-funded 13SICK and fully bulk-billed Abby Health, here is how to ensure you maintain eligibility for affordable telehealth for mental health treatment, especially if you are living rurally or remotely.
Will I Still Be Able to Access Bulk Billing for Telehealth?
Yes. But only if you have an existing in-person relationship with the practice or have a MyMedicare registration with them. While mental health consultations and access to treatment plans were previously exempt from the 12-month rule, they now require a prior in-person visit or MyMedicare registration [1]. This does not affect mental health treatment plans already in place.
If you are one of the 7 million Australians in regional or rural areas, the new requirement for face-to-face visits for all patients will likely make it harder to access care [2]. The change in Medicare policy risks reversing the gains in access made during the recent telehealth boom. After all, virtual consultations have become a common aspect of health care for many. So, here’s what you can do.
Steps to Maintain Your Access to Telehealth Care
- Check for MyMedicare Registration: You can enrol with your GP practice or via the Services Australia website. This will allow you to keep claiming on the practice’s telehealth services.
- Schedule Yearly In-Person Visits: If MyMedicare isn't an option, you can plan a face-to-face consultation once a year. It will reset your eligibility for telehealth with your primary doctor’s practice.
- Review Your Treatment Plan: As existing referrals remain valid, you should schedule any necessary reviews where possible, or check with your treating physician if they can still provide them to you.
How MediCompare Can Support You
MediCompare can help you navigate these changes. Our platform connects you with affordable Australian-registered doctors, from comprehensive telehealth providers to smaller clinics, some of which also offer in-person visits. Using our tools, you can identify high-quality providers offering monthly subscriptions or low-cost access to simple services such as medical certificates, repeat scripts and the like. Check back for updated in-depth reviews and summaries on our bulk billing providers page.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is no substitute for professional medical advice. Please choose your provider with care. Always consult your doctor or a qualified health professional regarding any health-related questions or concerns.